A report by a panel of experts released on Thursday questioned whether the federal government's food stamp program adequately provides for healthy diets for the more than 47 million low-income people who rely on the benefit.

The report ... found that the aid for families to pay for groceries, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, does not account for many barriers to finding affordable, nutritious food by inner-city shoppers.

...

The U.S. Agriculture Department, which administers the aid program, sought the report to help it determine the best way to assess whether food stamps benefits are adequate for recipients to have access to a healthy diet.

"We will thoroughly review the analysis and recommendations contained in this report and use them to help set our agenda for future program research," USDA said in a statement.

During and following the 2007-2009 recession, demand for food stamps soared, with middle-class families who found themselves suddenly homeless and jobless pushing enrollment to a record 47.7 million people by September 2012. Even during the recovery, demand has remained high and food pantries and soup kitchens continue to feel the strain.

But the program rankles many, especially some Republicans, who see it as a bloated government handout. Fraud concerns are also an ongoing issue.

...

The report also questioned formulas used to determine how much each family receives. USDA assumes families will spend 30 percent of their incomes on food, when in fact most can afford to spend only 13 percent given rising costs for housing and healthcare, it said.

That means that as the families' incomes rise, the government reduces their benefits too sharply, the report found.

Whether or not they are eating a healthy diet has nothing to do with what they buy at the grocery store. I see an awful lot of junk food. Potato chips, TV diners, candy, five gallon tubs of ice cream, etc.

Interesting: I don't see near this same level of concern for Seniors on a fixed income.

A report by a panel of experts released on Thursday questioned whether the federal government's food stamp program adequately provides for healthy diets for the more than 47 million low-income people who rely on the benefit.

Allow me to add something very significant:

A report by a panel of experts released on Thursday questioned whether the federal government's food stamp program adequately provides for healthy diets for the more than 47 million low-income people who rely on the unearned benefit.

2
posted on 01/17/2013 8:14:23 PM PST
by upchuck
(America's at an awkward stage. Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot the bastards.)

After viewing far too many examples of publicly displayed south ends of north bound welfare spawners of ‘bachelor's children’, one can't help thinking the spawner’s problem is too much food, rather than insufficuent food. Much too much food, if their waddling gait is any indication of excess adipose interfering with locomotion.

Lest those unfamiliar with the habitat of the Urban Feral misunderstand, the deplorable and dangerous conditions in Urban Feral habitats are the result of their violent and criminal behavior. Yes, food markets in such areas ARE fewer, costlier, and less pleasant places in which to shop - Because The Natives Steal! ! !

Urban Feral theft is so pervasive that costs are driven up while profits decline or vanish. Many merchants won't put up with such abusive customers.

A business is not a charity, though I should inform those unfamiliar with the negative effects of Urban Feral populations, that even churches, not just businesses, have to armor up or be stolen blind and/or burned out.

8
posted on 01/17/2013 8:37:30 PM PST
by GladesGuru
(In a society predicated upon freedom, it is necessary to examine principles."..)

My kid worked in a grocery store. He could spot an EBT customer a mile away....based on cart contents. Soda pop, candy, and ho ho’s. I’m sure some people are genuinely in trouble....but for alot its a lifestyle choice.

9
posted on 01/17/2013 8:43:38 PM PST
by lacrew
(Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)

No kidding. Our church is asking its members to "sponsor" low-income children from a nearby public elementary school. According to the pitch, these children will not have any healthy snacks during the weekends when they are not at school. Supposedly $20 per month will provide the child with the extra food they need during the weekends.

I would like to know how the food stamp benefits are calculated. If a child is getting free breakfast and lunch each day at school, shouldn't that be deducted from the family allotment?

Our church is asking its members to "sponsor" low-income children from a nearby public elementary school.

With all due respect, if I was a member of your church I'd refuse to help.

I'm a triage interviewer at a food/clothing bank in Aiken County, SC. I interview folks on food stamps every week.

We'll give them seven days of food for the entire family every six weeks. Wholesome, nutritious food. No junk.

I have a sheet showing soup kitchens and other places to get free meals. If you wanted to, and had transportation, you could eat three hot meals a day indefinitely. These people DO NOT need more. If anything, they need less.

Just my personal opinion, but I don't think a single mother and two kids, ages 8 and 13, need $647/month in food stamps. That's typical. Especially when I can look at their food stamp history and see they were getting $550 a year ago.

So not only has the food stamp program exploded in the last couple of years with more takers, the amount they are taking has also exploded.

Meanwhile, Seniors trying to get by on a fixed income get a measly 1.3% increase in their Social Security for 2013.

13
posted on 01/17/2013 9:23:31 PM PST
by upchuck
(America's at an awkward stage. Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot the bastards.)

These crap sandwich experts say we are not giving the lay about poor enough free food and not enough lobster, arugula and caviar.

B.S. I say. The Food Stamp program is an alternate currency in the ‘hood for cigarets, booze and drugs more than a nutrition program. Cut back the program and make the income standards a lot lower so not so many qualify.

14
posted on 01/17/2013 9:23:52 PM PST
by RicocheT
(Eat the rich only if you're certain it's your last meal)

time for govt to give these people better nutrition..they need lessons on buying and cooking healthy food and ebt can only be used at soup kitchens that they have to stand in line for food and sit through lectures on healty nutrition and becoming self sufficient...workfare-to get benefits they must do x number of hours community service like at soup kitchen

And I know people who receive food stamps who do buy healthy foods and plan their meals. Some of you here are very judgmental of a few who take advantage of the system. There may come a day when you will need assistance, so get over your holier-than-thou attitudes. I’m not defending those who are takers, but those who genuinely need the help and who do buy foods other than junk.

Many could save by cutting coupons and stretching their food stamp dollars. Also by spreading out their purchases during the month. A lot of recipients spend the majority of their allotment when they get their benefits at the first of the month. That’s when the grocery stores jack up the prices too. Consequently, they run out of food stamps before the month is over and end up going to food pantries to supplement. I’m not against what they buy because it isn’t my place to be a food police officer. I’d rather help Americans who need help than spend our tax dollars in Egypt or Libya or whereever the heck our government spends our money. I’d like to hear more outrage from this than people who genuinely need assistance to eat.

Are there those who milk the system? Absolutely, but I really don’t believe they are in the majority as some on here contend.

From reading these comments here, I guess I’m glad that those who need help get food stamps. Because they would starve to death if they had to depend on the “generosity” of those on this forum.

Okay, you can disagree and that’s your privilege. However, I disagree with the holier-than-thou group on here who are just as bad as the libs with their know-it-all attitudes.

Have you ever eaten at a soup kitchen? I have when I did my internship for my college degree. The food is crappy, for the most part and the smells are horrible. (from those who eat there). However, it does provide melas for those who need it.

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